Brooklyn-bred band We Are Augustines’ debut album ‘Rise Ye Sunken Ships’ was just named “Best Alternative Album” of 2011 in the iTunes "REWIND" Year End Round Up. Guitarist and lead vocalist Billy McCarthy (ex Pela) and bassist and keyboardist Eric Sanderson poured incredible amounts of emotion into the band’s debut album — which tells the story of McCarthy’s difficult past. We Are Augustines is scheduled to perform at the Xfm Winter Wonderland concert in London alongside The Horrors, Band of Skulls and more on Wednesday, December 14. – Christine Cauthen

Self described as "orchestral space-pop," Miracles of Modern Science present themselves through a press picture that looks like a kids guide to the string section. Although they play violin, mandolin, cello, and double bass, the quintet’s music has nothing classical about it – besides the instrumentation of course. Two highlights from their first LP "Dog Year" (out now) are the fast paced opener "MOMS AWAY!," with throbbing drums and raw-ish vocals, and "Tensity," with its contained, intricately plucked verse which unexpectedly explodes in a rock-estral chorus. Check out also "Eating Me Alive, streaming below. – Molly Horan

Folk rock group The Wooden Birds, led by Andrew Kenny (American Analog Set, Broken Social Scene), and also featuring NYC songwriter Matt Pond (of Matt Pond PA fame) just released the video for “Criminals Win,” the second from their sophomore effort "Two Matchsticks." Directed by Alex R. Johnson, the video depicts life in the Wooden Birds hometown of Austin, TX, while simultaneously paying homage to the 1977 Burt Reynolds beer-running classic "Smokey & The Bandit." The band is offering a free download of this single and a previously unreleased cover of Jackson Browne’s “Somebody’s Baby” on their website.

Matthew Dear‘s latest audio/video excursion combines the upbeat title track from his new ‘Headcage EP’ with mesmerizing abstraction from London-based director Morgan Beringer. The video looks like vintage footing of the creation of the universe, while the song sounds like early Japan somehow enhanced electronically – very cool indeed. Oh and check out the "wtf" ending! This single is the title-track of Matthew Dear’s upcoming "Headcage" EP, out on January 17.

Post-punk dissidents Virgin Islands will embark on another tour in the New Year, after spending much of 2011 on the road in support of their first full-length release, Ernie Chambers v. God. Singer/guitarist Mike Jaworski, drummer Aaron Ball, guitarist Chris Meyer and bassist Chuck Keller deliver a one-two of rumbling bass lines and searing guitar play that compliments the band’s frequently provocative lyrical bent. Punctuated by Ball’s driving rhythm, Virgin Islands’ first EP lives up to the promise of their four-track 2009 debut, The Age of Anxiety, which turned heads and teased palates eager for a taste of gritty, blistering and most of all, insurgent new music. The band will kick off their next 11-date tour in Seattle early in 2012.

February 17              Neumo’s (with Cursive and Ume)

Doors: 8 p.m.

Tickets: $15

-Kate Shepherd

Up-and-coming indie act Smokey Brights will bring their folky, soul-tinged rock to The Comet Tavern tomorrow night. After releasing their debut album, Can’t Rightly Say, this May, the band garnered the attention of local critics and concertgoers alike. They wrapped their first tour in November, which they documented in a series of postcards from the road, and are once again playing shows in town – including a sold out appearance at The Tractor on Nov. 23. Experimental duo Fort Union, the latest project from Friday Mile founder Jace Krause will also share the stage. Krause and Jake Rohr released Solstice Day Parade, their first single featuring ethereal melodies and rippling guitars, back in March, and have been building a following ever since.

Doors: 9 p.m.

Tickets: $8

-Kate Shepherd